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America’s “Best-of-the-Best” Companies for Diversity Named by NGLCC and Its Partners in National Business Inclusion Consortium

Wednesday, April 30, 2016

Washington, DC – The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), the business voice of the LGBT community, in collaboration with its partners in the National Business Inclusion Consortium (NBIC), has named the inaugural Best-of-the-Best list of corporations in America committed to diversity and inclusion across all community sectors.

“The Best-of-the-Best designation is the top corporate honor bestowed for commitments to America’s diverse employees and business owners, which includes LGBT, people of color, women, and people with disabilities. This designation is not easily earned, making it all the more prized,” said NGLCC Co-Founder and President Justin Nelson. “By recognizing these industry leaders and the policymakers who collaborate with them as the Best-of-the-Best, we are creating a better future for all diverse communities in business. Together we reaffirm our common, ongoing mission to improve business inclusion among Fortune 500 corporations and government agencies nationwide.”

Only companies achieving industry leading results across all diverse segments are eligible to receive the prestigious Best-of-the-Best designation from the NBIC, a coalition of national diverse business organizations spearheaded by NGLCC and including Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce, National Black Justice Coalition, U.S. Business Leadership Network and WEConnect International. NGLCC formed the National Business Inclusion Consortium in 2011, and its members represent a total of over $8 trillion in annual consumer spending power and significant contributions to the marketplace and workplace.

Criteria required to be named a Best-of-the-Best corporation includes the completion of a detailed survey of an organization’s inclusive programs, which may involve Supplier Diversity initiatives, Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and workplace engagement opportunities, and diverse marketplace and community engagements. Additionally, a detailed report of policies and achievements in the diversity and inclusion space--along with recognition or ratings such as the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index, the U.S. Business Leadership Network’s Disability Equality Index, or Diversity Inc.’s Top 50— is weighted and reviewed by a committee of NBIC leaders.

The announcement of those honored with the Best-of-the-Best designation was made at the inaugural Best-of-the-Best Awards Gala held at The National Portrait Gallery at The Smithsonian American Art Museum on April 26th, 2016. Bank of America, a Best-of-the-Best corporation, was the evening’s presenting sponsor. Honorees in the public sector that evening included The Honorable Nancy Pelosi, House Democratic Leader and The Honorable Tony Coelho, former U.S. Congressman and primary sponsor of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Washington Post columnist & MSNBC contributor Jonathan Capehart served as Master of Ceremonies; Ali Stroker, the first actress in a wheelchair to star on a Broadway stage, sang the National Anthem. Actress, performer, and activist Lynda Carter spoke about her commitment to equal rights.

“When a company’s competitors see them listed as a Best-of-the-Best company, they will immediately move to raise their own bar of diversity & inclusion. Being the Best-of-the-Best means pushing one another to keep innovating the ways we do business to be more inclusive and successful than ever,” says NGLCC Co-Founder and CEO Chance Mitchell. “Each year that we get back together to celebrate the Best-of-the-Best we will undoubtedly see more and more companies achieve unprecedented excellence in support of their diverse employees and suppliers. Diversity is good for competition; and that’s good for business.”

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ABOUT NGLCC:
The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce is the business voice of the LGBT community and is the largest global not-for-profit advocacy organization specifically dedicated to expanding economic opportunities and advancements for LGBT people. NGLCC is the exclusive certification body for LGBT-owned businesses. www.nglcc.org
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